Neighbor Uses Nextdoor to Round Up Donations for Students in Holiday Toy Drive

One community in Charlotte, North Carolina, wanted to make sure that every single student at an elementary school across town would have a gift to open this holiday season.

They started a toy drive called “Operation Santa Claus” to collect toys for the more than 1,000 students at the school.

Most of the school’s students come from low-income families and may not receive any gifts at home.

The organizer of the toy drive, Jennie Morris, tried something new this year – she turned to Nextdoor to ask for donations from neighbors near the school, and dozens responded.

“It’s amazing how much people are willing to jump in and help when you just ask,” Jennie said.

Older students from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District collected and wrapped the donated gifts with the hope of bringing a little Christmas cheer to the younger students, who might not get to experience it at home.

Santa arrived at the school this week, bringing with him more than 2,000 presents. The older students went classroom-to-classroom to give the gifts to their grateful recipients. Each student received a stuffed animal and a box full of toys.